Message from the Principal
Dear Students, Parents, and Birch River Community,
Welcome to a new school year at Birch River School for 2018-2019!
I am excited to be starting this school year in a new position as Principal of Birch River School. I have had the opportunity to get to know many of you as I have taught as a homeroom teacher for 7 years at the school. I am excited to welcome all new students and families to the community and look forward to getting to know everyone.
We want school to be a great place for your child where they feel safe, respected, and challenged to try new things. To help make this happen we believe in 5 guidelines for success.
Be at school everyday and on time- As we embark on a new school year, it is important to ensure that your child(ren) are in school everyday and on time. The school doors will open at 8:15am and students are welcome to wait indoors until buses arrive and then can enter the school to get ready for the day. Students are expected to be in their classes by 8:40am for homeroom and attendance.
Be safe with yourself and with others-
Be respectful to yourself and to others-
Be responsible for yourself and take responsibility for your actions-
Unacceptable behaviours will not be tolerated and will result in consequences- We understand mistakes happen. Sometimes it’s because students don’t know the rules, what is expected of them and/or the consequences to breaking such rules. The three rules of being safe, respectful, and responsible allows all students to have an education in a safe and respectful learning environment. Therefore bottom lines are unacceptable behaviours (swearing, hitting, stealing, harassment, etc.) To see a full list of unacceptable behaviours please refer to the Birch River School Code of Conduct Handbook.
After students have been taught all rules of conduct, students will be given 2 reminders that they are breaking a bottom line. A 3rd misdemeanour will result in a consequence. The goal of a consequence is to provide a fair and meaningful consequence and at the same time reminding the child they are cared for. Consequences will vary depending on the misdemeanor (loss of participating in an event, time out of the classroom, informal discussion, etc). A full list of consequences can be found in the Birch River School Code of Conduct Handbook. For minor infractions a behaviour notice will be sent home in the agenda as a means of communication that will be required to be signed, and more severe infractions will result in a phone call home.
We believe that students truly want to be successful. These 5 guidelines for success are a way of students understanding the parameters of acceptable student behaviour while at school so that all staff and students have a place to learn where they feel safe, respected, and challenged.
I will be in the classrooms and around the school, so please feel free to introduce yourself and come for a visit. I look forward to collaborating with this great community as we work together to make sure every student has a great year here at Birch River School.
Sincerely,
Brenna Smith
Principal
